Thromb Haemost 2013; 109(03): 368-374
DOI: 10.1160/TH12-08-0549
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

Hereditary angioedema: a bradykinin-mediated swelling disorder

Jenny Björkqvist
1   Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
2   Center of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
,
Anna Sala-Cunill
1   Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
3   Allergy Section, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
4   Allergy Research Unit, Allergy Department, Institut de Recerca Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
,
Thomas Renné
1   Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
2   Center of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 07 July 2012

Accepted after major revision: 08 January 2012

Publication Date:
29 November 2017 (online)

Zoom Image

Summary

Edema is tissue swelling and is a common symptom in a variety of diseases. Edema form due to accumulation of fluids, either through reduced drainage or increased vascular permeability. There are multiple vascular signalling pathways that regulate vessel permeability. An important mediator that increases vascular leak is the peptide hormone bradykinin, which is the principal agent in the swelling disorder hereditary angioedema. The disease is autosomal dominant inherited and presents clinically with recurrent episodes of acute swelling that can be life-threatening involving the skin, the oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and gastrointestinal mucosa. Three different types of hereditary angiodema exist in patients. The review summarises current knowledge on the pathophysiology of hereditary angiodema and focuses on recent experimental and pharmacological findings that have led to a better understanding and new treatments for the disease.